Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device includes a housing, a substrate having a surface and disposed within the housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing and having a volatile active, and an activator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir onto the surface to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/588,974 filed on Aug. 17, 2012.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a dispenser for dispensing afluid or product from a spray device, and more particularly, to anapparatus for discharging a product from a dispensing system to createportions of the product with different emanation rates.

2. Description of the Background of the Invention

Insecticide and/or fragrance dispensing devices are typically eitheractive, where a composition is released from a reservoir upon activationof a release mechanism, or passive, where the composition emanates froma pre-charged substrate by passive diffusion. Each system has itadvantages over the other. For example, active systems enable a user toquickly release a desired amount of an insecticide or a fragrance intothe environment to repel insects or overcome a strong odor. However,these spikes in composition intensity usually decay rapidly. On theother hand, while passive systems do not have the ability to releasedesired amounts of a composition upon activation, they typically have amore subtle decay in the intensity of the composition compared to activesystems.

Others have sought to combine active and passive systems to takeadvantage of the controlled release of the active systems and thesustained release of the passive systems. For example, one dispensingdevice dispenses a spray directly into the air and into an absorbentmember. The dispensing device includes an aerosol container and anovercap disposed on a top of the aerosol container. The overcap includesa vented cylindrical sidewall and a vented top portion. A plungerelement engages a valve stem on the container and extends through thetop portion of the overcap. The plunger includes two ports formed onopposing sides thereof. Two absorbent carrier members are disposedwithin an upper portion of the overcap around the plunger element. Thecarrier members are substantially semicircular in cross-section and arespaced around the plunger in such a way as to create two diametricallyopposing passageways. Upon activation of the plunger element, fragranceis released out of the ports and through the opposing passageways intothe atmosphere. The overcap may also be turned 90 degrees so that theports and passageways do not align, such that when the plunger isactivated spray is released out of the ports directly into the carrierelements. Additional ports may be provided in the plunger so that thespray can be released through the passageways and onto the carriermembers simultaneously.

Another device simultaneously sprays an air-treating composition intothe air for instant air treatment and recharging an absorbent elementfor effective continuous air treatment. The device includes an overcapfor an aerosol container that includes a cylindrical vented wall and anactuator button with a passageway in communication with a valve stem ofthe aerosol container. The absorbent member is disposed within theovercap. When the device is activated, the air-treating compositionpasses a plurality of outlets formed in the passageway before beingdischarged through a spray orifice and into the air. The plurality ofoutlets direct a portion of the air-treating composition onto theabsorbent member for subsequent passive treatment of the air. Apreferred embodiment includes four outlets spaced at 90 degree intervalsaround the passageway. Alternatively, the outlets could be formed in thevalve stem of the aerosol container instead of in the passageway.

Similarly, an additional vapor dispensing device includes multipledelivery mechanisms for fragrance release. The dispensing deviceincludes a continuous delivery mechanism with an emanator incommunication with a reservoir, for delivering a first continuouspassive release of fragrance. The dispensing device also includes anon-demand delivery mechanism for delivering an instantaneous burst offragrance. Additionally, activation of the on-demand delivery mechanismproduces a second continuous passive release of fragrance by depositinga portion of the fragrance burst onto the continuous delivery mechanismor a second surface. The combination of the first and second passivereleases creates a release of fragrance that is of a higher intensitythan the fragrance released by the continuous delivery mechanism alone.

However, none of these dual systems recognizes the advantages of thecurrent system that uses the relationship between the active delivery ofa composition and the passive emanator surface to create an insecticide(or other volatile active) dispensing system with multiple emanationrates for a single composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a dispensing device includes a housing, asubstrate having a surface and disposed within the housing, a reservoirdisposed within the housing and comprising a volatile active, and anactivator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator isactivated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir onto thesurface to create a first quantity of volatile active having a firstemanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a secondemanation rate.

According to another aspect, a dispensing device includes a housingcomprising a surface, a reservoir comprising a composition, and anactivator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator isactivated, the composition is released from the reservoir onto thesurface to create a first quantity of the composition having a firstemanation rate, a second quantity of the composition having a secondemanation rate, and a third quantity of the composition having a thirdemanation rate.

According to a further aspect, a dispensing device includes a housing, asubstrate, a reservoir disposed within the housing, and an activator.The reservoir holds a composition comprising a volatile active and aliquid carrier. The activator is operatively connected to the reservoirand includes at least two apertures. When the activator is activated,streams of the composition are released from the reservoir to impact asurface of the substrate. Upon the impact of the composition, a firstportion of the composition is deflected off of the substrate and asecond portion of the composition is deposited onto the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of one embodiment of a dispenser;

FIG. 1A is a schematic elevational view of another embodiment of adispenser with a substrate integral with the dispenser housing;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of another embodiment of adispenser with a shaped substrate;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of a further embodiment of adispenser with a shaped substrate;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of another embodiment of adispenser with a control mechanism to change an amount of a compositiondeflected from and deposited on a substrate;

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view of another embodiment of adispenser with a plurality of nozzles and substrates; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of a variation of the embodiment ofthe dispenser shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed toward dispensers for dispensingvolatile active-containing compositions. The dispensers described hereinmay be used either as stand alone dispenser devices, which may be placedon a table, shelf or other flat surface, or as personal devices that maybe carried on a person or animal. FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodimentof a dispenser 10 that includes a housing 12, a reservoir 14 thatcontains a composition to be dispensed, and an activator 16 thatreleases the composition from the reservoir by way of a nozzle 18. Thehousing 12 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as aplastic, a PET non-woven substrate, a metal, glass, or combinationsthereof. Additionally, the materials may include combinations ofmanufactured, natural, and recycled or reclaimed materials. In somecases, the materials are selected from, or include manufacturedmaterials configured to approximate, naturally occurring substances,such as wood, stone, paper, or rock, or combinations thereof. Any suchmaterials can be selected based upon their having a natural lookingappearance and/or a natural feeling to the touch. By incorporatingnatural materials, or analogs of natural materials, the dispenser 10 canbe made to look more appropriate for placement in an outdoors location,such as in a sun room or on a balcony, or can complement the look andfeel of existing natural objects within the home.

The dispenser 10 is configured to discharge a composition from one ormore reservoirs 14 disposed within the housing 12 upon the occurrence ofa particular condition. The condition could be the manual activation ofthe dispenser 10 by way of the activator 16, which may include a manualpush button 16 a that opens a valve of the reservoir that may bedepressed by a user. In another embodiment, the activator 16 may includeadditional and/or alternate mechanisms to release the composition fromthe reservoir. For example, the activator 16 may include a solenoid 16 boperatively connected to the reservoir valve.

The condition could also be an automatic activation of the activator by,for example, a mechanical or electromechanical system that activates thedevice in response to an elapsed time interval or signal from a sensor,such as a motion sensor or other type of sensor. In one implementation,a sensor 16 c may be a light-sensing element, such as a photodetector orphotodiode light detector, photoresistor, photodiode, phototransistor,or a passive infra-red sensor. For example, automatic activation of theactivator may activate a solenoid powered by batteries held within thehousing that depresses a valve in the reservoir to release thecomposition therein.

The reservoir may be an aerosol container and the like. Additionalexamples of reservoirs, activation mechanisms, compositions, substrates,and the like that may be used herein include those disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,837,065, 8,061,562, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.11/801,554, 11/893,456, 11/893,489, 11/893,476, 11/805,976, and11/893,532.

In another embodiment, the reservoir may include a chamber for holdingthe volatile active-containing composition, a Venturi throat or chamberin fluid communication with the composition within the chamber, and anair compressor. In this embodiment, activation of the reservoir 14 bythe activator 16 causes compressed air to be forced through the Venturichamber, thereby releasing an aerosolized volatile active-containingcomposition.

Upon activation of the activator 16, a stream 20 of the composition heldwithin the reservoir 14 is released onto a substrate 22. The stream 20may have spray patterns that are typically in the form of dispersions,and the spray emitted from a nozzle will form a dispersed spray patternangle when viewed from the side (as depicted in FIGS. 1-6). The stream20 of spray referred to herein is generally the central axis thatbisects such a spray pattern. It is understood that portions of thestream will typically be distributed on either side of this centralaxis. The composition dispensed may include a fragrance, insecticide, adeodorizer, a fungicide, a bacteriocide, a sanitizer, a pet barrier, orother active volatile or other compound disposed within a carrier liquid(for example, an oil-based and/or water-based carrier), a deodorizingliquid, or the like. For example, the fluid may comprise OUST™, an airand carpet sanitizer for household, commercial, and institutional use,or GLADE®, a household deodorant, both sold by S. C. Johnson and Son,Inc., of Racine, Wis. The fluid may also comprise other actives, such assanitizers, air and/or fabric fresheners, cleaners, odor eliminators,mold or mildew inhibitors, insect repellents, and the like, or othersthat have aromatherapeutic properties. The fluid alternatively comprisesany fluid known to those skilled in the art that can be dispensed from acontainer, such as those suitable for dispersal in the form of particlesor droplets suspended within a gas and/or propelled by means of apropellant. The dispenser 10 is therefore adapted to dispense any numberof different fluid or product formulations.

The substrate 22 may be made of any suitable material including aplastic, a polymer, a metal, a fabric, a nonwoven, a cellulosicmaterial, glass, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 22 is a polyethylene terephthalate non-woven substrate. Inanother embodiment, the substrate 22 is an aluminum substrate. In afurther embodiment, the substrate 22 is a multilayered substrate, forexample, with a nonabsorptive bottom layer and an absorbent top layer.Any number of layers with varying degrees of absorptiveness and/orpermeability are contemplated.

Further, the substrate 22 may have various textures and/or surfacepatterns, such as a rough surface, a smooth surface, a channeledsurface, and combinations thereof. Thus, once the stream 20 impacts thesurface 22 a of the substrate 22, a first portion 24 of the stream maybe deflected off of the substrate to create a plume and a second potion26 may be partially absorbed into the substrate and/or distributed overthe surface of the substrate by means of the surface features and/orproperties of the substrate. Deflection in this context means therebound of the composition off of the substrate, which may be affectedby one or more of the velocity of the stream 20 at impact with thesubstrate 22, the angle A of the stream relative to the substratesurface 22 a, the composition of the substrate, the texture of thesubstrate, the variations in the rheological characteristics of thecomposition, and the like. Therefore, upon activation of the dispenser10, a volatile active contained within the composition is simultaneouslycharged onto a substrate 22 and deflected off of the substrate to form aplume of the volatile active. The plume may thus provide a burst ofvolatile active into the environment that quickly permeates theenvironment where the dispenser 10 is located. The second portion 26that is deposited on and/or in the substrate 22 provides a source forpassive emanation of the volatile active, which has a slower, moreprolonged release of the volatile active, which may be attributed, inpart, to the more protected environment within the dispenser 10. It isfurther envisioned that a portion of the plume may settle on surfacessurrounding the dispenser 10 to thereby create a secondary passivesystem that has an emanation rate potentially higher than that of thedeposited composition within the dispenser due to the greater relativeamount of air flow outside of the dispenser housing, but less than thatof the plume.

The quantity of the composition deflected out of the dispenser 10 (forexample, the first portion 24) relative to the quantity of thecomposition deposited within and/or on the dispenser (for example, thesecond portion 26) may be expressed in terms of a ratio X/Y, wherein Xis the quantity of the deflected portion and Y is the quantity of thedeposited portion. For example, when the first portion 24 and the secondportion 26 are equal, then the ratio X/Y has a value of one, as equalportions of the composition have been deflected and deposited. Itfollows that when the first portion 24 is greater than the secondportion 26, then the ratio has a value greater than one, and the inverseis true when the second portion 26 is greater that the first portion 24.Relative values of X/Y contemplated expressed in percentages includeabout 100/0, or about 90/10, or about 80/20, or about 70/30, or about60/40, or about 50/50, or about 40/60, or about 30/70, or about 20/80,or about 10/90, or about 0/100 and all values in between.

The substrate material and surface properties of the substrate 22 mayaffect the ratio X/Y of the first 24 and second portions 26. Forexample, a hard, hydrophobic, impermeable surface may be more likely torepel a water-based composition compared to a soft, hydrophilic,permeable surface. Thus, by changing not only the qualities of thecomposition, but by also changing the nature of the substrate 22, theratio X/Y may be controlled. It is further envisioned that the surfaceproperties of the substrate 22 may be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, soft,hard, liquid permeable, liquid impermeable and combinations thereof overportions thereof. For example, the surface 22 a may have a checkeredconfiguration with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regionsand/or hard and soft regions and/or liquid permeable and impermeableregions.

The ratio X/Y of the first 24 and second 26 portions of the compositionmay further be altered, for example, by varying an angle A (the anglemeasured between the central axis of the stream 20 and the substratesurface 22 a as the substrate 22 pivots about the z-axis at the point ofcontact of the stream to the substrate) between the stream 20 and thesurface 22 a of the substrate 22 (see FIG. 1). For example, bydecreasing the size of the angle A (when the lower portion of thesubstrate 22 pivots upward toward the stream 20), a greater area ofimpact of the stream on the surface 22 a may be achieved. The largerarea of impact leads to greater retention of the composition on thesurface 22 a and/or within the substrate 22, which leaves a smallerquantity to be deflected off.

In another embodiment, the ratio X/Y may be altered by varying thedistance 20 a traveled by the stream 20 between the nozzle 18 and thesurface 22 a for a given velocity of the stream. For example, thereservoir 14 may be placed closer or farther away from the substrate 22,which will increase the ratio X/Y and decrease the ratio X/Y,respectively.

Further, increasing or decreasing the caliber of the nozzle 18 (ororifice size) while maintaining a constant pressure within the reservoir14, may cause the velocity of the stream 20 to decrease or increase,respectively. Moreover, the ratio X/Y may be determined, at least inpart, by the nature of the stream 20, for example, whether it is anarrow jet or a V-shaped cone of a pressurized aerosol spray.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the substrate 22 is integralwith the housing 12. In this embodiment, the angle A between the stream20 and the surface 22 a of the substrate may be determined by the shapeof the housing. For example, if the housing has a flared configurationas shown in FIG. 1A, which may resemble a flower or vase, and the like,the greater the flare of the housing, the smaller the angle A.

In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shape of the surface22 a of the substrate 22 may influence the ratio X/Y. In FIG. 2, aconvex-shaped substrate 22 may provide a larger area of impact for thestream on the substrate and therefore decrease the ratio if thesubstrate is absorptive of the composition. On the other hand, theconvex shape may serve to further deflect the stream 20 in multipledirections, which would lead to an increased ratio X/Y. In FIG. 3, aconcave surface 22 a of the substrate 22 may serve to more efficientlydeflect the stream 20 to increase the volume of the first portion 24 andthe ratio X/Y.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 22 is both impermeableand designed to retain a minimal amount of the composition on its twosurfaces 22 a and 22 b to be impacted by the stream 20 upon activationof the dispenser 10. In this embodiment, the portion of the stream 20that impacts surface 22 a is deflected to form the first portion 24 andthe portion of the stream that impacts surface 22 b is deflected to forma third portion 28. The second portion 26 is minimally deposited on bothsurfaces 22 a and 22 b. The first portion 24 may be deflected upwardlyinto the environment, whereas the third portion 28 may be deflecteddownward to be deposited onto a second substrate 30 that may provide anincreased capacity for the dispenser 10 to serve as a passive emanator.Further envisioned in this embodiment is a control mechanism 32 thatallows a user to change the ratio X/Y of the dispenser 10 by pivotingthe substrate 22 about pivot 34. For example, by rotating the substrate22 such that angle A is at an acceptable minimum, surface 22 b ismaximally exposed to the stream 20 and will deflect essentially all ofthe stream toward the secondary substrate 30. In this state, thedispenser 10 may be rendered completely passive, as the quantity of thefirst portion 24 is at or near zero. Conversely, by maximizing angle A,the dispenser may maximize the first portion 24 and thereby maximize theemanation rate of the volatile active into the surrounding environment.

In another embodiment similar to that in FIG. 4, the controller may beused to alter the shape of a flexible substrate to vary the ratio X/Y.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a dispenser 100 hasincreased capacity for dispensing volatile active compositions. In FIG.5, the housing 112 is configured to contain two substrates 122 a and 122b, a reservoir 114, and an activator 116 that includes a dual directionnozzle 118 with two apertures 118 a and 118 b that fire two streams 120a and 120 b onto the two substrates 122 a and 122 b, respectively. Here,the two streams 120 a and 120 b are deflected to form a first portion124 a and 124 b in two parts, and a second portion in two parts 126 aand 126 b deposited onto the two substrates 122 a and 122 b. In thisembodiment, it is envisioned that the ratio X/Y would be the same orsimilar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 assuming all variablesto be the same.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the dispenser 100 includes ahousing 112 configured to contain four substrates 122 a-d, at least onereservoir 114, and an activator 116 that has four nozzles 118 a-d. Thefour nozzles 118 a-d fire four streams 120 a-d onto the four substrates122 a-d to create a first portion in four parts 124 a-d and a secondportion in four parts 126 a-d, respectively. Here, too, it is envisionedthat the ratio X/Y would be the same or similar to that of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 assuming all variables to be constant.

Additional features contemplated herein include use-up indicators. Forexample, in one embodiment where the volatile active is dispensed onto asubstrate integral with the housing, an ink is provided within the wallsof the housing or within the composition, which may appear or disappearto indicate when the volatile active has completely evaporated from thewalls of the housing.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description.Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative onlyand is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art tomake and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying outsame. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within thescope of the appended claims are reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing device, comprising: a housing; asubstrate having a surface and disposed within the housing; a reservoirdisposed within the housing and comprising a volatile active; and anactivator operatively connected to the reservoir, wherein when theactivator is activated, the volatile active is released from thereservoir onto the surface to create a first quantity of volatile activehaving a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile activehaving a second emanation rate.
 2. The dispensing device of claim 1,wherein the first quantity of volatile active is deflected from thesurface of the substrate.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 1, whereinthe substrate comprises a plastic, a polymer, a metal, a fabric, anonwoven, a cellulosic material, glass, and combinations thereof.
 4. Thedispensing device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises an aerosolcontainer.
 5. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the volatileactive is chosen from the group consisting of a fragrance, insecticide,a deodorizer, a fungicide, a bacteriocide, a sanitizer, a pet barrier,and combinations thereof.
 6. The dispensing device of claim 1, whereinthe volatile active is an insecticide.
 7. The dispensing device of claim1, wherein the activator comprises a manual push button.
 8. A dispensingdevice, comprising: a housing comprising a surface; a reservoircomprising a composition; and an activator operatively connected to thereservoir, wherein when the activator is activated, the composition isreleased from the reservoir onto the surface to create a first quantityof the composition having a first emanation rate, a second quantity ofthe composition having a second emanation rate, and a third quantity ofthe composition having a third emanation rate.
 9. The dispensing deviceof claim 8, wherein the dispenser comprises a plurality of surfaces andthe activator comprises a plurality of nozzles.
 10. The dispensingdevice of claim 9, wherein upon activation of the activator, a pluralityof streams of the composition are released onto the plurality ofsurfaces.
 11. A dispensing device, comprising: a housing; a substrate; areservoir disposed within the housing, the reservoir holding acomposition comprising a volatile active and a liquid carrier; and anactivator operatively connected to the reservoir, wherein the activatorincludes at least two apertures, wherein when the activator isactivated, streams of the composition are released from the reservoir toimpact a surface of the substrate, and wherein upon impact of thecomposition a first portion of the composition is deflected off of thesubstrate and a second portion of the composition is deposited onto thesubstrate.
 12. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the at leasttwo apertures produce at least two streams of composition upon theactivation of the activator.
 13. The dispensing device of claim 12,wherein the at least two streams are pointed in at least two differentdirections.
 14. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the secondportion of the composition provides a source for passive emanation ofthe volatile active from the substrate into the surrounding environment.15. The dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the amount of compositiondeposited onto the substrate is relative to an angle A between a surfaceof the substrate and the at least two streams of composition.
 16. Thedispensing device of claim 11, wherein the substrate comprises at leastone of a fabric, a non-woven material, and a cellulosic material. 17.The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the volatile active comprisesan insect repellent.
 18. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein thesubstrate is integral with the housing.
 19. The dispensing device ofclaim 12, wherein the at least two apertures are positioned to releaseat least two streams in opposing directions.
 20. The dispensing deviceof claim 12, wherein the at least two apertures are equally spacedaround the activator.